Bucknell welcomes Boston University to Patriot League

June 15, 2012

LEWISBURG, Pa. — Come July 1, 2013, Bucknell University won't be the only BU competing in the Patriot League. Boston University has formally accepted an invitation to join the league beginning in the 2013-14 academic year.

"The Patriot League is one of the nation's premier Division I conferences in terms of combining superior academic institutions with high-level athletic success, and the addition of Boston University only strengthens that reputation," said John Hardt, Bucknell's director of athletics and recreation. "This is an exciting development for the league as a whole, and our student-athletes and coaches look forward to competing against the Terriers."

Boston University has enjoyed a remarkable recent history in numerous sports, including winning the Commissioner's Cup in the America East for each of the past seven years. During that time, the Terriers have won 40 America East Conference championships in 14 sports.

"We are very impressed by the academic quality of the institutions in the Patriot League and by the league's commitment to student-athletes while effectively competing at the NCAA Division I level," said Boston University President Robert A. Brown. "We believe that the philosophy of the league is a good match for Boston University and that the schools in the league will give our athletes a rich competitive environment."

Boston University is also nationally ranked among the nation's premier academic institutions within both the undergraduate and graduate community.

"Boston University is an outstanding addition to our membership as a private institution with a robust academic reputation and prolific athletic history," said Daniel H. Weiss, Chair of the Patriot League's Council of Presidents and President of Lafayette College. "This decision to add Boston University to the Patriot League mirrors the Presidents' commitment and vision to the stability and long-term positioning of the league."

Boston University will compete in the Patriot League in the following sports: men and women's basketball, men and women's cross country and track and field, field hockey, women's golf, men and women's lacrosse, women's rowing, men and women's soccer, softball, men and women's swimming and diving, and men and women's tennis.

About the Patriot League The Patriot League was formed as an all-sport conference in 1990-91 after beginning as a football only conference (Colonial League) in 1986. Bucknell is a founding member of the league, along with Army, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh. Navy joined the Patriot League for the 1991-92 academic year. American joined the league for the 2001-02 academic year.

Fordham University and Georgetown University are associate members for the sport of football, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology competes in the Patriot League as an associate member in women's rowing.

About Boston University Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized private research university with more than 33,000 students participating in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. BU consists of 16 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school's research and teaching mission.

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